Arkea Ultim Challenge: The superlative solo circumnavigation has started
Tatjana Pokorny
· 07.01.2024
It is a fabulous adventure and a spectacular race that lies ahead of the six skippers and their gigantic trimarans: the Ultim giants have been on the move since 7 January at 1.30 pm! The Arkea Ultim Challenge - Brest has begun off the coast of Brittany. The weather could hardly have been better: The six French challengers and their flying XXL boxes pushed their way across the starting line in light winds and sunshine.
Not only the organisers spoke of a "historic day on the start Sunday, one of those days that will be remembered for a long time and that have the potential to make history". By early morning in Brest, all the ingredients were in place for an unrivalled sailing festival with tens of thousands of spectators in the harbour city, on the shores and on the water.
Arkea Ultim Challenge: emotional farewell scenes and mild conditions
The fans witnessed emotional farewell scenes before casting off in the morning and skippers who were very aware of the gigantic challenge they were now facing. They set off under clear, bright skies in gentle starting conditions with winds of between ten and 15 knots.
For the skippers - all French - it was the perfect preparation for the challenge ahead. The sailors were able to get into the race without too much pressure and tackle the Bay of Biscay passage. It marked the beginning of an unprecedented sailing chapter. "Sodebo Ultim 3" skipper Thomas Coville had previously summarised the significance of the race: "We are all pioneers in this race. It will make history."
Like on flying carpets: three favourites in front
Never before has there been a solo regatta around the world in this "imperial class" of ocean sailing. The trimaran foilers can reach speeds of more than 40 knots (74 km/h) and 700 to 800 nautical miles in 24 hours. "It feels like you're travelling on a magic carpet," said "Actual Ultim 3" skipper Anthony Marchand.
One hour after the start of the Arkea Ultim Challenge - Brest, the three co-favourites were already in the lead. With 26-year-old "SVR Lazartigue" skipper Tom Laperche, the Benjamin of the fleet initially took the lead on the lightest tri. He was followed by former Vendée Globe winner Armel Le Cléac'h, 46, on "Banque Populaire XI" and two-time Ocean Race winner Charles Caudrelier, 49, on "Maxi Edmond de Rothschild".
More about the superlative solo circumnavigation:
Five-time circumnavigator Boris Herrmann is also watching the exciting race from afar. The 42-year-old said at the beginning of the year, in which he will start his second Vendée Globe on 10 November: "I'm excited. It's difficult to make a prediction. I think it will be exciting between the three skippers who were ahead after the start."
The record will be hard to break
For the 24,220 nautical mile course to and from Brest, experts expect the race to take 43 to 45 days based on current weather forecasts. The record for solo circumnavigations has been held by Frenchman François Gabart since 2017 with 42 days, 16 hours and 40 minutes. He set it on the boat that is now being sailed by Anthony Marchand in the current Arkea Ultim Challenge - Brest under the name "Actual Ultim 3". In contrast to the current Ultim regatta fleet, Gabart did not start his race against the clock on "Macif" on a long predetermined day, but in an ideal weather window.
Charles Caudrelier, front man of the Gitana team, described the new solo round-the-world race as the "ultimate challenge". He, who has already won all the big races but had never before taken part in a solo race around the world, also addressed the uncertainties shortly before the start of the race: "In all other races, I know roughly where I'm going and what to expect. In this race there are a lot of questions, a lot of things I don't know. I don't know how well I will cope on these boats for 45 days."
Arkea Ultim Challenge: An adventure with uncontrollable variables
Caudrelier is well aware of the difficulty of the task: "We have never managed to sail around the world in these boats without suffering damage. I think that the boats are ready, that we have everything we need to do it. But we're all embarking on an adventure and we can't control many of the variables."
Nobody has ever done this at such speeds on flying boats" (Charles Caudrelier)
Caudrelier also emphasised once again the difference between the crew and solo test: "It's something completely different to spend 45 days alone on a boat of this size. No one has ever done this before at such speeds on flying boats. It's not a worry, it doesn't worry me. It's just a question I'm asking myself and a challenge I'm taking on. I feel well prepared for it and I'm very excited to see how it goes."
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